Are open educational resources the future of e-learning?

Increased interest in more open approaches to learning, in particular Open Educational Resources is reflected in the programmes of international organisations, national initiatives and the actions of individual institutions. However, while some see OER as an indicator of the future of learning, others are much more sceptical and doubt their long-term success. This paper considers the vision of OER as part of future learning solutions in the society driven by technology and knowledge. Supported by an examination of specific national contexts and linked to research from relevant initiatives arguments in favour of using OER are outlined. These include their value in both developing and developed countries, and flexible ways of use in structured courses and in informal, learner-driven environments. This is balanced by highlighting concerns that relate mainly to current issues of certification, quality and intellectual property rights, but also potential problems such as the lack of instructor-learner interaction and the dominance of OER initiatives from English-speaking universities. The paper concludes that OER have an immense potential as long as the elements that contribute to their success are identified and harnessed, and barriers effectively dealt with

SdiA, an N-Acylhomoserine Lactone Receptor, Becomes Active during the Transit of Salmonella enterica through the Gastrointestinal Tract of Turtles

encode a LuxR-type AHL receptor, SdiA, they cannot synthesize AHLs. In vitro, it is known that SdiA can detect AHLs produced by other bacterial species..We conclude that the normal gastrointestinal microbiota of most animal species do not produce AHLs of the correct type, in an appropriate location, or in sufficient quantities to activate SdiA. However, the results obtained with turtles represent the first demonstration of SdiA activity in animals

Transmission of tuberculosis within family-households.

Item does not contain fulltextOBJECTIVE: The introduction of molecular typing methods in the 1990s to study the epidemiology of tuberculosis (TB) has significantly improved the possibilities of quantifying transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in different human settings. The purpose of this study was to investigate transmission of TB in 35 family-households in Poland. METHODS: Two PCR-based genotyping methods: spoligotyping and mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit-variable number of tandem repeats (MIRU-VNTR) typing were used. RESULTS: Of 78 patients, 49 (63%), could be assigned to intra-household transmission on the basis of identical DNA fingerprints upon a combined typing approach. However, if a single spoligotype spacer or a single MIRU-VNTR locus variation was tolerated in the cluster definition, the intra-household transmission raised to 85% of all patients. For 12 patients in 6 households, the M. tuberculosis isolates were clearly distinct in either spoligotyping or VNTR typing or in both genotyping methods, suggesting that these patients were infected by the sources in the community. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to provide the results of a molecular epidemiological investigation performed within family-households in Poland. It shows the household setting as an important reservoir of M. tuberculosis transmission, and thus argues in favor of routine and extensive screening of the family contacts of TB patients.1 juni 201